And Abraham was old, [and] well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
Ver. 1. And Abraham was old.] Non tam canis et annis, quam virtutibus et sapientia gravis, as one saith of Atticus. a Abraham had a good gray head, as it is elsewhere said of him: hence, so honoured not only at home, but by the Hittites. Gen 23:6 Cognata sunt γνρας et γερας (ut ηθος et εθος), old age and honour are near akin in the Greek tongue. And God bids, "honour the face of the old man"; Lev 19:32 for the hoary head is a crown, so that it be found in the way of righteousness. God is called "the Ancient of days": and, because "holy," therefore "reverend is his name," as saith the psalmist. Psa 111:9 But it is a poor praise to Nectarius, who succeeded Nazianzen in the church of Antioch, that he was veneranda canitie et vultu sacerdote digno, a comely old man, and of a bishop like visage, and that was all that could be said for him. b
a Beurer. in Vita Attici.
b Si prolixa faeit sapientem barba, quid obstat barbatus posset quin caper esse Plato? - Baron. Annal.